Akinbiyi Abiola Ahmed, professionally known as Bella Shmurda has taken the big leap of faith by releasing his debut album on a non-customary day such as Wednesday. This is Bella Shmurda’s debut album since his breakout year (2020) and two successful EPs released; the album is titled Hypertension.
Bella Shmurda is known for putting out conscious socio-political records while finding a balance by keeping his ears in the streets, in a bid to appeal to a wider range of audience. That he replicates in Hypertension but dumbing the socio-political records down a bit, exchanging the controversies they stir up, Bella puts out more love or romantic tunes, thereby charming the ladies with his distinct vocals from track 1 to the ultimate track (15). A win-win situation for Bella Shmurda and the overall demographic of music listeners worldwide.
In Hypertension, Bella Shmurda employs the skills of his fellow music comrades both on the national scene and from across the borders of Africa. Simi is the first guest act, concurring with the fact that Shmurda loves girls who are ready to Loose It, she sings “Shmurda you know we no dey fight, I can show you what I mean tonight /. . . / You tell me sey you love me o / Me sef I love you from here to Sokoto / . . . / FOMO you dey fear but baby no show / Loko, me no worry, drive me loko”, ready to give it all to Bella (in the context of the song) and his love for certain hyperactive girls behaviourally (as party monsters) and sexually. Phyno is the next guest on the album, he appears on Converse, with he and Shmurda imploring their lovers to be open with them by communicating their wants and desires, instead of exerting force on them (that is, Bella and Phyno) physically, “I just want to conversate / Nneka / Nneka don’t you hit me on the face (On the face Nne / Ayaya / I dun dey wait you many days, I wait / I’m dedicated to you baby I beg / Ibu oyi o shi / Ogini nwa yi o ma”, Bella beseeches his lover.
Bella Shmurda, L.A.X, Pa Salieu and Not3s refute bad energy, declaring their unconditional love to the respective girls after their hearts in Nakupenda; Victony promises to spoil his girl materially and financially for she has no reason to worry about No Other woman and Popcaan closes the album on the introspective So Cold pre-released song. Not forgetting Bella Shmurda and Omah Lay’s impressive debut collaboration, Philo.
One thing Bella has been blessed with since his career took off is the ability to generate hits even from the most unconventional singles, that appears to still be his mantra with this Hypertension debut album, filling it with 15 reasonable songs which can stand-alone individually, sprouting to be hits on their own.
Create time from your busy day to listen to the 43 minutes long vocal presentation by Bella Shmirda in Hypertension.